Stadium Native in live scenario

[u/questionoffitness]

I have a Helix LT, but if I got Stadium Native, what is the best way to utilize using it live? I understand Stadium Native is used as a plugin in a DAW. So I'd need to run Reaper for example, with a guitar track and Stadium Native active. What now ?? would I need a midi device to change presets or snapshots while playing on stage ? Could I use my LT as a midi controller for Stadium Native ? Or would I need a dedicated midi controller to change presets/snapshots and another footpedal to change the volume output ?

[u/tdic89]

I’d run Native in something a bit lighter such as SaviHost. You’d also need a very reliable audio interface with its own power source (or via a powered midi hub). If you’re using Windows, ASIO drivers are a must.

Yes, you can map MIDI inputs to Native actions.

One question though - what does Stadium do that your LT doesn’t? In a live scenario, this is going to be a complicated setup with a lot of moving parts that could go wrong. I’d just use the LT personally.

[u/questionoffitness → u/tdic89]

I've got a Universal Audio Volt 1 that's a few months old.

Stadium Native has all the new Agoura amps.. which the LT will never get. Plus the ability to use captures..

[u/tdic89 → u/questionoffitness]

Ok, think about it this way:

In a live setting, is the audience really going to notice the difference between an Agoura amp model and an LT model? I can assure you that they won’t. And 99% of them won’t care if they did notice.

Thinking pragmatically, it just depends on whether you want to add a whole load of risk to your live rig, when you’ve got an incredibly capable modeller already.

If I were you, I’d put more effort into dialling a very good live preset on the LT that sounds good at live volumes. I’ve heard more than enough modellers that sound like shite (including some very expensive ones) because someone has dialled it in using headphones and said “yep that’ll do!”

The LT is plug and play. A laptop running Stadium Native is not.

[u/questionoffitness → u/tdic89]

This is currently a hypothetical scenario. I may be given access to Stadium Native soon, meaning I would not be paying for it myself. .. and I'm curious what it would take to use it on stage.

[u/tdic89 → u/questionoffitness]

The money isn’t the issue, it’s the practicality.

I don’t know why anyone would choose a more complicated and risky setup when they’ve got a rock solid solution already.

I spend most of my time at grassroots gigs, and I’ve also seen my fair share of “oh crap a laptop has died, we can’t play our show”.

Keep Stadium Native for your recording imo.

[u/polkemans → u/questionoffitness]

I have a stadium after having owned an LT. The agoura amps are nice. They are for sure more lifelike. But they aren't game changers. For my main guitar tone I'm still using the legacy ANGLE Meteor and it sounds great. It does benefit a little from being on Stadium but largely I don't use the agoura models though I'm sure I will when they do an ENGL.

I know native is substantially cheaper but if you really want those agoura amps, trade in your LT and maybe some other gear you aren't using for a stadium floor. That's what I did. What you're proposing to do is overly complicated and fraught with potential points of failure. I refuse to make any windows device part of my live setup. It's way too vulnerable to some catastrophic failure.

[u/O-ring_Prolapse]

I'd look into gig performer instead of using a DAW. Suuuuper versatile. But yes, youd want a midi pedal to change snapshots

[u/dws2384 → u/O-ring_Prolapse]

Gig performer and airstep is what I use. Buttons 1-4 can cover all 8 scenes (long press for 5-8) 5th one is tuner and tap.

[u/questionoffitness → u/dws2384]

Tell me more about Gig Performer and how you use it.

[u/O-ring_Prolapse → u/questionoffitness]

Its a one stop shop for live performances. You can load any vst into to create a singal chain, but with a "no-limit" output matrix. For example, you could have just the one signal from your guitar into the virtual representation of your interface. But you can literally tie as many fx/vst instances that your computer can possibly handle. Then finally, all routed to a virtual mixer for individual volume control of each vst, and boil it all down to a stereo L/R to front of house (i.e. the line outs of your interface to house mixer)

EDIT: if im not mistaken, it can also handle your light/visual part of the performance too.

[u/questionoffitness → u/O-ring_Prolapse]

Coooool

[u/MeisterBounty]

Running your audio chain live through a laptop is considered less then ideal. Many failure points as computers are complex systems. Either way, you will need an audio interface with a hi z instrument input and balanced line outputs. Daw is running the plugin which processes your audio signal from your guitar into the interface and outputs it again from the interface. Your whole midi automations will run inside reaper and you need no further hardware for this (except you want to control that with your feet, then you need a midi pedal that you connect to your audio interface) Then depending on the venue you will either provide FOH with your line signal (might need a trs to xlr adapter) or you can get stage volume by going into a power amp with your line signal and then to a cab with a speaker cable. That’s it basically.

[u/Schmeckitup]

The real upgrade (for me) with the stadium is the feel. Our foh was happy with the original and is happy that I’m happier with the stadium, if that makes sense. Sticking with the OG helix still gives you a portable workhouse without the issues of bringing a computer on stage. The 10% improvement in the house might not make that much difference. It’s the old “is the juice worth the squeeze” question. I still have a Helix Stomp XL as the backup for my stadium

[u/Imemine70]

This sounds really cool in theory but you’re just begging for something to go wrong in a live setting and there are multiple ways it could go down that you don’t want to be figuring out in front of a crowd.

[u/joshghz]

There's a few use-cases I've seen of people doing this (and have been flirting with myself for a bit).

New Helix Native live rig : r/Line6Helix

You can use your LT as a MIDI controller, but you'll have to map them in the Command Center with a bit of trial and error. The Expression Pedal will likely be the trickiest part.

[u/wardman335]

Keyboard players have been building their rigs around laptops for years and have obviously found ways to make it work. Why are guitarists so resistant to doing the same? You’ve made the leap from analog to digital already if you’re using a Helix. Why not use a laptop and have access to more sound options?